Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Mespilus germanica (Common medlar)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
8m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Mespilus germanica
Other names
Common medlar, Dutch medlar, Minshull crab, Medlar
Genus
Mespilus Mespilus
Species
M. germanica - M. germanica is a deciduous shrub or small tree grown for spring flowers, brown edible fruits in autumn and good autumn foliage colouration.
Mespilus germanica is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Yellow, Brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Caterpillars Aphids , Caterpillars
Brown rot on fruits , Powdery mildew Brown rot on fruits , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seeds in a seedbed in autumn.
Propagation methods
Budding, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Mespilus germanica (Common medlar) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Harvest fruit after first frosts, when they are well-ripened and partially rotten.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Mespilus germanica
Other names
Common medlar, Dutch medlar, Minshull crab, Medlar
Genus
Mespilus Mespilus
Species
M. germanica - M. germanica is a deciduous shrub or small tree grown for spring flowers, brown edible fruits in autumn and good autumn foliage colouration.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Yellow, Brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
Brown rot on fruits , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seeds in a seedbed in autumn.
Propagation methods
Budding, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Mespilus germanica (Common medlar) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 8m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Harvest fruit after first frosts, when they are well-ripened and partially rotten.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Mespilus germanica
There is 1 active discussion about Mespilus germanica (Common medlar)
View all discussions